MURIEL BOWSER
MAYOR
February 14, 2025
The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 504
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
In accordance with section 2 of the Confirmation Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979, D.C. Law 2-
142; D.C. Official
Code § 1-523.01, and pursuant to section 4 of the Commission on the Arts and
Humanities Act, effective October 21, 1975, D.C. Law 1-22, D.C. Official Code § 39-203, I am pleased
to nominate the following individual:
Ms. Julianne Brienza
4th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20024
(Ward 6)
for
reappointment as a member with specific experience in arts or humanities organizational
administration or governance of the Commission on the Arts and Humanities, for a term to end June
30, 2028.
Enclosed, you will find biographical information detailing the experience of the above-mentioned
nominee, together with a proposed resolution to assist the Council during the confirmation process.
I would appreciate the Council’s earliest consideration of this nomination for confirmation. Please
do not hesitate to contact me, or Steven Walker, Director, Mayor’s Office of Talent and
Appointments, should the Council require additional information.
Sincerely,
Muriel Bowser
Mayor 1
2
3 at the request
of the Mayor
4
5
6 A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
7
8
9
10 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
11
12
13
14
15 To confirm the reappointment of Julianne Brienza to the Commission on the Arts and
16 Humanities.
17
18 RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
19 resolution may be cited as the "Commission on the Arts and Humanities Julianne Brienza
20 Confirmation Resolution
of 2025".
21 Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the reappointment of:
22
23 Julianne Brienza
24 4th Street, SW
25 Washington, DC 20024
26 (Ward 6)
27
28 as a member with specific experience in arts or humanities organizational administration or
29 governance
of the Commission on the Arts and Humanities, established by section 4 of the
30 Commission on the Arts and Humanities Act, effective October 21, 1975 (D.C. Law 1-22; D.C.
31 Official Code § 39-203), for a term to end June 30, 2028.
32 Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia shall transmit a copy of this resolution,
33 upon its adoption, to the nominee and to the Office of the Mayor.
34 Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately. JulianneBrienza
CONTACT
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EDUCATION
ARDENPROFESSIONAL
APPRENTICESHIP
Philadelphia,PA2000-2001
‘AreasofFocus:generalmanagement,
fundraising,marketing,stage-
‘managementandProduction
VITERBOUNIVERSITY
LaCrosse,WI1995-1999
BachelorofFineArts-Theatre
MagnacumLaude
Minors:PhilosophyandVisualArts
SisterMarieLeonLacroixServiceAward
EXPERTISE
+CommunityBuildingand
Engagement
+TeamLeadershipandDevelopment
+ProgramDevelopmentand
Management
+NegotiationandConflictResolution
*PublicRelationsandCommunications
+PublicSpeaking
+ProducingandProjectManagement.
+FinancialPlanningandNonprofit
Management
+StrategicandPragmaticthinking
+ChangeManagement
+Fundraising
+Marketing(Print&Digital)
+GraphicDesign(Print&Digital)
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Dedicatedculturalleaderwithover20yearsofexperienceingrowingand
strengtheningartists,artsorganizationsandcommunities.Skilledinstrategic
visioningandcommunityengagement,fosteringfinancialsustainabilitywhile
expandingaccesstoartisticexpression.Committedtoculturaldemocracyand
upliftingdiverseartisticvoices.
EXPERIENCE
CapitalFringe(Washington,DC) 2005-Present
FoundedandledCapitalFringe,anonprofitdedicatedtocelebratingcultural
democracyandcreatingearningopportunitiesforindependentartists.Produced
Washington,DC'sFringeFestival,whichbecamethesecondlargestintheU.S.forover
adecade,consistentlyreturning70%ofticketrevenuetoparticipatingartists.
StrategicLeadership&Impact
+Sinceitsinceptionin2005,CapitalFringehasbeenacornerstoneofDC'sarts
community,fosteringcreativityandcollaborationthroughitsopenaccess
FringeFestivalandyear-roundprogramming.Overtwodecades,itengaged
87,000artists,attracted497,000audiencemembers,andgenerated
$3.29millioninartistrevenue.
+Expandedandstrengthenedtheorganization'smissionbyformingkey
partnershipswithinstitutionssuchasArenaStage,ClarkConstruction,
DouglasDevelopment,FriendsoftheKenilworthAquaticGardens,Goethe-
Institut,SitarArtsCenter,KennedyCenterforthePerformingArts,Phillips
Collection,SashaBruceYouthworks,andothers.
+Developedandimplementedtwothree-yearstrategicplans(2013-2015and
2018-2020),trackingbenchmarkswithstaffandboardmembers,leadingto
sustainedgrowthandimprovedinternalsystems.
+Artdirectedannualprintanddigitalcampaigns,reachingaticketedaudience
Cf30,000+acrossmultipleplatforms.Oversawthecreationandstrategic
marketingofbrochures,posters,socialmediagraphics,andemailcampaigns,
ensuringconsistentbrandingandmessaging,
+CollaboratedwiththeAlcoholicBeverageandCannabisAdministration
(ABCA)tohelpestablishtheFestivalLiquorLicense,aspecializedlicense
foreventslasting5-15days,introducedin2015,
+Raised$11millioninprivateandlocalgovernmentfundingtoacquire
propertyandsustainoperationsduringaplannedbuild-outphase.
Negotiatedandsecureda$2millionloanfromPNCBank,facilitatingthe
purchaseofamulti-usebuildingonFloridaAvenue,NE. Julianne Brienza
P a g e 2
E X P E R I E N C E C O N T I N U E D
CulturalDC (Washington, DC) 2003 - 2005
Operations Manager
Led key initiatives at Flashpoint, an arts incubator, including the Mead Theatre Lab Program, which provided production and
development support to performing and visual artists, writers, directors, producers, and theatre companies. A volunteer advisory panel
of DC-area arts professionals selected artists and provided mentorship. The program ran for 13 years, concluding with the sale of the
Flashpoint property in 2016.
• Collaborated as part of the four-person leadership team to launch and oversee the Flashpoint Arts Incubator Project.
• Designed the incubator curriculum and organized local arts leaders to lead sessions and serve as mentors.
• Developed and implemented the Facilities Operation Plan for a dance studio, a 60-seat theatre, an art gallery, and resident
and staff offices.
• Managed bookkeeping responsibilities, including financial oversight of budgets ranging from $900K to $1.8 million, grant
reporting, and audit preparation.
Mum Puppettheatre (Philadelphia, PA) 2002 – 2003
Artist Residency Director
Developed and launched Philadelphia’s year-long arts-in-residency program at Greenfield Elementary School. The program operated
under Mum Puppettheatre’s leadership until its closure in 2009 and continues today under the guidance of the school’s PTA and
teachers.
• Designed the inaugural program curriculum, integrating arts into various subjects—for example, using SimCity in math class
to explore city planning with a set designer and incorporating sock puppetry in art class as a creative tool for students to
express their inner and outer emotions.
• Recruited and trained teaching artists to deliver high-quality, engaging content and activities.
• Managed financial operations, including budgeting, cash flow, and payroll.
• Secured funding through grant writing and oversaw grant management.
• Organized and facilitated community meetings with neighborhood groups, the PTA, and teachers.
1812 Productions (Philadelphia, PA) 2001 – 2002
Managing Director
As the company's first Managing Director, stabilized and professionalized operations during internal and external challenges while
driving earned and contributed revenue. Established accounting practices, created a chart of accounts, and managed departmental
budgets of up to $1 million. Developed a diversified media plan that increased subscriptions by 14% in the 2001–2002 season. Led the
search process with the Co- Artistic Directors to hire my replacement, ensuring a smooth transition.
Professional Development
• Netcito, CEO Leadership Group 2014 – present
A for-profit leadership group that focuses on growing a business, leading with confidence and
turning ideas into action.
• Momentum US Delegation, British Council – 2018
Working with Edinburgh’s festivals and DC Chief Resilience Officer to identify shared concerns
between the two cities, particularly around economic growth/gentrification and living with water.
• Executive Preparation Institute, Center for Nonprofit Advancement – 2010
Comprehensive six-month training program covering nonprofit leadership, board management,
financial reporting, and strategic planning.
• Sandglass Theatre Puppet Intensive, Marlboro College – 2003
Directing techniques for puppet theater, puppet building and ensemble creation.
• Interior Design: Visual Thinking and Color Theory, Moore College of Art and Design – 2002
Acquired proficiency in utilizing geometric principles for spatial design and layout, coupled with
an understanding. of color theory.
• Introduction of Accounting Reporting and Financial Statement Analysis, University of Iowa – 2000
Accounting and financial reporting procedures emphasize accounting concepts and the use of accounting in
making economic decisions. Julianne Brienza
P a g e 3
Board Service
• DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Commissioner, Governance Chair and Secretary 2023 – present
• Board of Artistic Advisors. DC Theater Arts 2023 – present
• United States Fringe Festival Association, Founding Board Member 2008 – present
• Southwest Community Center, Treasurer 2020 – 2022
• Touchstone Foundation for the Arts, Board Member 2010 – 2012
• DC Shorts Film Festival, Treasurer 2003 – 2009
Grant Panelist
• DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, 2008 – 2019
• Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation 2012 – 2014
• Baker Artist Awards 2011 – 2014
Guest Lecturer
• George Mason University, Community Writing – 2022
• University of the Arts, Theatre History – 2015 & 2020
• American University, Theatre Practicum – 2015
• William and Mary, Theatre Practicum – 2015
• Temple University, Theatre Practicum – 2014
Community Organizing
• Bell Visuals, Video Journalist – present
• Extinction Rebellion DC, Member – present
• NEA Arts Works Podcast, Guest – 2017
• People Climate March Committee – 2014 & 2017
• Arts Action DC, Branding and Marketing Group Lead 2013 – 2016
• World Fringe Congress, Guest Speaker – 2012 & 2014
• HowlRound, Fringe Frontier, Guest Contributor – 2012
Select Awards & Recognition
• College of Business, Performing Arts, and Leadership Award, Viterbo University – 2020
• Visionary Leadership Award, 31st Annual Mayor's Arts Awards, Mayor Muriel Bowser – 2016
• Momentum Award, Downtown DC BID – 2015 & 2007
• 40 Under 40, Washington Business Journal – 2015
• Non-Profit CEO of the Year, Washington Business Journal – 2015
• Helen Hayes Award for Innovative Leadership, Theatre Washington – 2013
• Mayors Arts Award, Service in the Arts, Mayor Vincent Gray – 2011
• Mayors Arts Award, Innovation in the Arts, Mayor Adrian Fenty – 2007
• People Who Made a Mark on the District, Washingtonian Magazine – 2006
• ROCKY Dance Awards, Philadelphia, PA – 2001
• Best of Class Advertising, Daily Class 1, Carroll Today, Iowa Newspaper Association – 2000
Executive Office of the Mayor – Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments
John A. Wilson Building | 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 600 | Washington, DC 20004
Julianne Brienza
Ms. Julianne Brienza is a dedicated cultural leader with over 20 years of
experience in growing and strengthening artists, arts organizations, and
communities. Skilled in strategic visioning and community engagement,
fostering financial sustainability while expanding access to artistic
expression. Committed to cultural democracy and uplifting diverse
artistic voices.
In 2005, she founded Capital Fringe, a DC-based non- profit with a
mission rooted in celebrating cultural democracy and creating earning
opportunities for individual artists. Produced Washington, DC’s Fringe
Festival, which became the second largest in the U.S. for over a decade,
consistently returning 70% of ticket revenue to participating artists.
Frome 2005 – 2024 Fringe engaged 87,000 artists, attracted 497,000 audience members and
generated $3.29 million in artist revenue
Ms. Brienza has received numerous awards, including the Distinguished Alumni Award, College
of Business, Performing Arts and Leadership, Viterbo University in 2020, the non- profit CEO of
the Year from the Washington Business Journal in 2015 and the Visionary Leadership Award at
31st Annual Mayors Arts Awards in 2015.
A Ward 6 resident, Ms. Brienza earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from Viterbo
University. GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser
Office of the General Counsel to the Mayor
______________________________________________________________________________
The John A. Wilson Building • 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW • Suite 300 • Washington, D.C. 20004 • Office (202) 724-7681
To: Kimberly A. Bassett, Steve Walker
From: Betsy Cavendish
Date: February 13, 2025
Subject: Legal sufficiency review of a resolution reappointing Julianne Brienza as a
member of the Commission on the Arts and Humanities
This is to Certify that this office has reviewed the above-referenced resolution and
found it to be legally unobjectionable. If you have any questions in this regard, please do not
hesitate to call Michael Porcello, Deputy General Counsel, Executive Office of the Mayor, at
202-727-0872, or me at 202-724-7681.
______________________________
Elizabeth Cavendish